the storm complicated problems by superstorm sandy. hundreds of thousands remain without power or heat and can't get fuel. it's so bad doctors without borders set up its ever u.s. clinic. >> reporter: utility crews are working around the clock to clean up after a nor'easter brought snow and took down trees in an area already weary from superstorm sandy. residents who have been dealing with cold and darkness since sandy struck more than a week ago said they are at their breaking point. >> this happened again so soon it's very frustrating. >> reporter: wednesday's storm interrupted the recovery process across new jersey and new york. but also caused hundreds of thousands of new outages. many had just gotten their power back only to see it knocked out again. >> all of a sudden poof. and there we are, back in the middle ages. >> reporter: officials say it could have been worse. >> believe it or not the snow was helpful. because it wasn't rain. and so it helped on the flooding side. >> reporter: here in hard hit rockaway beach it's not snow